The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1887-06-08
TIE MERMAN.

Last summer passed some weeks ii
Malangen, Norway, laid up with a
sprained ankle. One evening nv farmer
host, Bernt Olafsen, told me the follow
ing story. / believed it So would you
if you had heard him tell it.
was left an orphan when about eight
years old, and went to live with my
cousin Karen, Who had been d servant id
the family Of the minister at Alstadt, but
who then lived at KralhoIm, in Welge-
land, having some months before married
Elias, a fisherman Of that place. Kral-
holm, for some reason, has ever been the
haunt Of ghosts, mermen and all wicked
\ spirits ofIthe sea. 1t took Karen and ME
q long to become accustomede to the
strange sights and sounds Of the lonely
/ beach where her cottage stood.
Her husband, q CHEEKY, hearty man,
laughed at our fears, assuring us that the
sea spirits had no power over those who
led gedly lives and who avoided all
dealings with them; so when six years
had passed away, bringing with them
children and all other blessings, Karen's
4 fears had long since been forgotten. Then
suddenly Elias seemed to change. He
became gloomy and silent. He was, as
ever, kind and good, but his Jokes and
laughter were no longer heard. This
was very strange and, stranger still, he
suddenly stopped all talk about the new
ten-oared boat he had meant to buy, to
take the place of Of the old 'ssix-oar, h
almostIWorn out with long service. That
new item arn had been the theme Of
many freside talk, for it was to be the
finest On Kralholm beach, but now for
two years we heard nothing about it.
Karen was, of course, very anxious, and
ct last having grown to be, a stout
Lad OF sixteen Ventured to question him
plainly, Karen joined me, and at last
he spoke out.
One day, two years before, he was
walking on an unfrequented part Of the
beach, armed with his fish spear. and
came suddenly upon huge seal, living
asleep upon a rock. 1t was the largest
! he had ever seen, but, strange to saw. he
felt afraid of 1T, and wished to run away.
I say strange for re enc aYay fears (
Heql and the larger II il the better the
prize.
Elias mustered up bis courage, crept
close to the sleeping monster. and drove
the spear deep into its back. With a
frightful yell of rage and pain, such as
no true seal ever uttered, the brute raised
Itself Wrenching the staff out Of the
tisherman's hands. tstood erect, SEEM
ing to grow as tall ais boats mast.
Screaming and crashing its teeth, it
glared at Elias with fierce, bloodshot
eyes, while he, half-dead with fear, could
not nnurmur q prayer, With one final
below It plunged into the sea, carrying
with il the harpoon, and discoloring the
i water with blood. Elias did not speak
of this incident to any one. He was. in
truth, ashamed. He had been frightened
by seal had missed his blow, and lost
not only his prize, but his harpoon as
well. He would be. laughed at. After
ward The found floating the staff Of his
spear, the iron having been broken off.
One night, shortly after this, he heard
/ o great noise Id the boat house. He inn
mediately rose and went to see If any
mischief were On foot. 1t was midnight,
stormy and very dark Entering the boat
house he heard no sound, and at first
could see. nothing. Suddenly the light
OF his lantern fell upon a huge black mass,
from which rose grinning and snarling
the fierce head Of d monster seal. He re-
nembered it well, and while he stood.
terrorrstrick en, the head grew human.
the seal disappeared, and in its place was
9 large man, entirely naked, who rushed
past Elias, striking the lantern from his
hand but not 50 quickly that the poor
fellow could not see sticking fast between.
his shoulders the spear of his lost har-
poon. lie realized then what he had.
done, what vengeance He had provoked.
with whom be had dealt and had still to
deal. Karen found him lying In a sWoon,
the broken lantern BY his side. He
told her nothing, and from that dav
was silent and gloomy, for he knew that
be had incurred the deadly hate Of mer-
maj, than which no greater evil can be-
fall q seafaring man.
But he kept on with his fishing. and
one dark morning, as lie was sailing out
he heard q deep voice that seemed to call
from the sea itself !:
Your boat sails well, for the wind is free:
Waltltill you've sailed race with mel
~ nsH OilS SKY Is Dlaek and the dead af1oat,
I III show You the match Of your ten-oared
boat.
His men thought It was some neiehbor
wishing To play them q track. Elias knew
what il was.
From that day he lived IN terror. He
gave up all idea Of buying a ten-oared
boat, partly because he did not think It
worth while for the short time he be-
lieved he had to live, partly. because the
merman's words seemed TO warn him
against sailing III such craft.
We said all we could to cheer him, at
firstfWith little effect; but as months and
seasons passed and nothing evil happened
his gloom wore aWsy. lie became his old